Chanderpaul puts Windies on top in Test

An unbeaten hundred to Shivnarine Chanderpaul has put the West Indies in a strong position in the first Test against Australia in Barbados.

The veteran batsman made 103no as the Windies scored 9(dec)-449 in their first innings at Kensington Oval, his 25th Test hundred and fifth against Australia.

In reply, Australia had reached 0-44 at stumps on day two with openers Ed Cowan (13no) and David Warner (27no) putting together a good counter-attack in 9.5 overs before bad light stopped play.

Chanderpaul’s 248-ball epic took in most of the second day’s play on Sunday after he started with Darren Bravo with the Windies on their overnight score of 3-179.

Bravo went on to make 51, joining Kirk Edwards (61) and Kraigg Brathwaite (57) as top-order half-century makers for the Windies.

The hosts’ innings was sparked by a 36-ball 41 from Darren Sammy which included three sixes as well as being felled by a Shane Watson bouncer.

But while Sammy’s belligerent innings was over in a flash, unflappable Chanderpaul batted on, adding 28 with last man Devendra Bishoo (18no) to reach three figures.

The left-hander also had to survive a close LBW decision, which was reviewed, on 85.

Australia’s bowlers were made to toil through 153 overs with only Ryan Harris (2-83) and part-timer Warner (2-45) taking multiple wickets.

Peter Siddle (1-83) bowled well without luck, while Nathan Lyon toiled through 31 overs for 1-94.

The match continues on Monday from 10am (0000 Tuesday AEST).

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